The first overall pick in the 2008 draft has decided where he’ll be playing for the next four years. And it won’t be in the city where he has spent the last five.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, tackle Jake Long has agreed to terms with the Rams.

Long picked the Rams over the Dolphins, who made a late push to keep Long after his multi-day visit to St. Louis ended.

It’s a four-year deal, with a base value of $34 million, for an average of $8.5 million annually. With incentives, the deal can reach $36 million.

The deal has $16 million fully guaranteed, with another $4 million that will become fully guaranteed in 2014.

It’s unclear whether the Dolphins were offering the same, less, or more. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Long, who has made plenty from being a No. 1 overall pick in the days before the rookie wage scale, doesn’t have to take the best offer on the table.

I'm glad. My concern isn't for today, or September 1st. It is for December when Jake is back on IR. Or for 2014 or 2015 when you have a guy with seriously declining skills who is taking up a roster spot and big $$$ under the cap. Jake's body is a lot older than his actual age.

I like Jake. He was a great player. But the Rams are going to regret committing big money to him.

I like Jake. He was a great player. But the Rams are going to regret committing big money to him.

I'm going to miss him, but the signs of decline have been showing on him due to his body breaking down. I was hopeful to get him back, but sometimes you just have to replace players through the draft. You can't resign all of your free agents.

Yeah I think people over evaluate the reports of his "declined play" Last year he was supposedly still not 100% and struggling with the new scheme, yet was still marginally better than the anything that filled in.. If you simply google "NFL Offensive Tackle 2012" you will find a few lists of top OT's, Jake is on those lists including the one from PFF...

Jake is a beast of a OT. Not easy to replace, however I do understand why they were not willing to commit too much to him at this point, he could very well be heading south physically.. But then again our team Dr's have been wrong before

I think the Dolphins needed help with OL depth even if Long would have returned. Hopefully they can spread that money out a little more instead of just one guy making $9 million.

True, we definitely need to address one of the tackle positions as well as one of the guard positions, and find players that fit the zone blocking scheme (Long and Jerry don't). There is no value in acquiring all of these targets for Tannehill if he doesn't get time to throw.

We'll probably need to address tackle in free agency and guard could be addressed via the draft.

The good thing is Jake Long set the market for tackles, so we can find a healthier, probably more athletic alternative for cheaper.

I am going to miss having Jake Long and enjoyed him while he was with the fins & I wish him the best with the Rams.

I agree with Rich that this will now allow the brain trust to go get a strong replacement that "fits" our zone blocking scheme. Winston or Vollmer would certainly help right away and Miami DOES need better protection for Tannehill.

I am going to miss having Jake Long and enjoyed him while he was with the fins & I wish him the best with the Rams.

I agree with Rich that this will now allow the brain trust to go get a strong replacement that "fits" our zone blocking scheme. Winston or Vollmer would certainly help right away and Miami DOES need better protection for Tannehill.

Does Vollmer fit the scheme?

I know people are nervous about Martin, but signing Winston to play RT and finding a very good pulling guard in the draft gets this team in the right direction. Martin is the wild card.

I've seen a few folks suggest Miami actually trade up in the first round to Joeckel or Fisher.

I'm glad. My concern isn't for today, or September 1st. It is for December when Jake is back on IR. Or for 2014 or 2015 when you have a guy with seriously declining skills who is taking up a roster spot and big $$$ under the cap. Jake's body is a lot older than his actual age.

I like Jake. He was a great player. But the Rams are going to regret committing big money to him.

There's a phrase for that. It's called "Tony Boselli Disease." It killed the Texans, and it's going to kill the Rams.

I am going to miss having Jake Long and enjoyed him while he was with the fins & I wish him the best with the Rams.

I agree with Rich that this will now allow the brain trust to go get a strong replacement that "fits" our zone blocking scheme. Winston or Vollmer would certainly help right away and Miami DOES need better protection for Tannehill.

Does Vollmer fit the scheme?

I know people are nervous about Martin, but signing Winston to play RT and finding a very good pulling guard in the draft gets this team in the right direction. Martin is the wild card.

I've seen a few folks suggest Miami actually trade up in the first round to Joeckel or Fisher.

Lane Johnson is a great fit for our zone system. Very athletic. However i think we would have to trade up 2 or 3 slots to secure him.

Q: Was letting Long get away at that price the right move for the Dolphins?

ESPN: Yes, Mike. The Dolphins were willing to re-sign Jake Long but at their team-friendly price. They know Long better than anyone and was fully aware that he is a player on the decline. You don't pay for the player Long once was. You pay for the player he is and will be.